Ugandan Asians at Stradishall 1972

6th July 2019 | Local History Society

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by Wickhambrook History Society

The Wickhambrook Local History Society has been invited to be involved in an exciting oral history project being taken forward by the India Overseas Trust as follows:

In 1972 the entire Asian community of Uganda was expelled by Idi Amin; 27,200 of them came to Britain. Whilst their personal stories have been well researched and preserved, the story that has not yet been told is that of the British volunteers who assisted them in the initial days, weeks and months spent in the resettlement camps to which they were sent. Local voluntary groups, national charities and individuals came together to provide help including warm meals, children’s toys, employment advice or long-term accommodation.

Through establishing a curated oral history archive of the experiences of a cross-section of volunteers at three resettlement camps, we will create a permanent online celebration of their efforts. This archive will be a resource for academics and those involved in welcoming new waves of refugees. It will celebrate the spirit of voluntarism, and the way in which diverse cultures can support each other. Finally it will contribute to a fuller understanding by second/third generation Ugandan Asians, by the local host communities and by the families of the original volunteers, of their respective heritages. We will also run celebratory events in the three areas to mark the 50th anniversary of the expulsion in 2022.

We need to identify a delivery partner organisation in each of the three areas, such as a local history society or museum. It will be their role to:

* Identify between four and six individuals who volunteered in 1972/3, are still living in the area and are willing to be interviewed on film;
* Nominate two reliable volunteers (e.g. history society members) to interview the subjects, with us providing equipment, training and expenses;
* Assist with the interpretation of the material and with writing the text for the website;
* Appeal to the local community in order to find photographs, posters, local newspaper articles etc that can be digitised to accompany the text.

We have now found a willing partner for one area (the Tywyn and District History Society, in respect of the Tonfanau camp in Wales), and are hopeful of working with Thatcham Local History Society for the Greenham Common camp. We would be delighted if Wickhambrook Local History Society were willing to partner with us to research the story of the volunteers who helped at Stradishall Camp. There will be no financial implications for your organisation.

If anyone is interested then please email the Wickhambrook History Society for more information

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